Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a scary phrase to hear. For an active imagination, AI may represent killer robots and science fiction horrors; however, artificial intelligence is not something to be afraid of. In fact, it can be a very useful tool you already use in a variety of ways without even realizing it.

Almost every time you use your phone or type on a computer, artificial intelligence is involved in some way. Spell check is a form of artificial intelligence that has been around since the late 1970s. It wasn’t until the 1980s, however, that spell check was included on personal computers and allowed users to stop worrying about if they spelled something correctly. It instantly checks spelling and can even correct punctuation.

Another way AI impacts your life is with your email. Have you ever wondered how email can determine what is junk mail, spam, or important? The answer is simple; it’s with AI. If an email has been sent from somewhere that has received complaints^[1], it is more likely for your email service to mark it as spam. Email services can even track which emails users don’t open, which allows AI to label those as spam in the future.

Social media also heavily relies on AI to deliver the content that users want to see straight to them. Based on the posts that users interact with by liking and sharing, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok will adjust the feeds of those users to display more of the kinds of posts they interact with. AI helps manage social media activities, making interactions more efficient and personalized for users. Most people use social media almost every day, and without knowing it, they interact with artificial intelligence.

Recently, AI systems such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have allowed users to enter prompts and receive detailed responses on almost any subject. They have created a quick and easy way for users to come up with responses on everything from pickles to plastic surgery. What many users don’t realize, however, is that ChatGPT and Copilot are not replacements for Google. Where Google will show you many different pages and results when you search for pickles, ChatGPT or Copilot will only deliver one perspective. This limits the amount of information that is presented to users. It also prevents those using the AI from coming up with their own opinions on the subjects. That being said, using ChatGPT or Copilot can encourage creativity for a topic and help users find inspiration for starting a project.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly growing every day, and it is not limited to the uses mentioned in this article. It is something that almost every person will interact with in their day-to-day lives, helping to relieve some of the burdens we face. Still, it is not a replacement for humans. AI will never be able to match the art that we can create or the stories that we can tell. Thus, while it is something to be aware of, you don’t need to fear the robot apocalypses^[2] you’ve seen in movies.